Zombies invade Columbia, march down Broadway

Zombies wait for their cue as part of Columbia Access Television's COMO Zombie Walk television event on Saturday. Joel Shettlesworth (lower left) led the onslaught of zombies, which overran the station and ate anchor Chase Thompson.   ¦  Elisa Day

COLUMBIA — When Andy Neitzert visited Grand Rapids, Mich., on business, he got to participate in a community-building event — a zombie walk.

"The fact that an event this odd could bring all kinds of people together is always a great thing,” Neitzert said.

Neitzert works at Columbia Access Television, which sponsored a zombie walk Saturday night along with Ragtag Cinema. At 6:30 p.m., participants met at CAT, at 1405 E. Broadway, to put on their makeup. At 8:30 p.m. they walked to Ragtag Cinema, at 10 Hitt St., acting as zombies.

Neitzert plans to continue the zombie walk next Halloween.

A book titled "The Zombie Survival Guide," written by Max Brooks, gives advice on how to protect yourself from a zombie outbreak. There are many recommendations and tips that include illustrations, and Neitzert keeps a copy on his toilet.

Brooks defines “zombie” as an animated corpse that feeds on living human flesh.

“We would be so lucky if an outbreak occurs,” Neitzert said.